India

Tehelka offers an in depth look with multiple perspectives on the state violence in Lalgarh, West Bengal, and its implications. Among the most disturbing aspects of what they write about is how the release of anyone remotely accused of Maoism, whether or not there is any truth to the notion, is increasingly politically verboten. Coming on the heels of the much belated release of Binayak Sen and the announcement of a very large escalation of the Indian government's attempts to eliminate 'Maoism', it seems to me that the silent war on the poor and disempowered has shifte

Nicholas Kristoff seems like a nice guy. He has on-the-ground experience witnessing - albeit as a NYT journalist - some of the worst abuses that people- and particularly women- face in the poorer parts of the world. He has brought attention to issues like trafficking, health, labour conditions, and poverty to a greater degree than most white male journalists working for a source as conservomainstream as the New York Times probably would have - and he has done it with a level of human detail that makes these issues moving, rather than eye-glazingly boring.

According to BBC, half of India's districts have been affected by a drought resulting from a nearly 30% reduction in monsoon rain this season. This may result in a 10% decline in rice production, though the government says it will not need to import food. Just some quick, preliminary notes below.

Friend Naureen Shah has written the following Op-Ed in the NY Times. In addition to posting it because of the pride of seeing her published thusly, it's a very good piece that, among others things, shows the use of Slumdog Millionaire as a hook into issues of import in India being discussed for Western audiences, highlights both the abuses committed by the police as well as the conditions they exist in and their need for labour protections and assistance, and offers some tentative solutions for resolving these problems. It's also very well written. Here

The New Delhi High Court has struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code as it applies to consenting adults. Sincere thanks and congratulations to everyone who made this happen, especially the Naz Foundation for pursuing this case with such dedication. It's unclear yet how the government will respond, especially since leaders of religious outfits throughout the country have already started protesting. But that is tomorrow.